Device for positioning and restraining live bodies



July 29, 1958 I L. LONG 2,845,314

DEVICE FOR POSITIONING AND RESTRAINING LIVE sonms Filed on. 26. 1955 Unite Patent DEVICE FOR POSITIONLN G AND RESTRA INING- LIVE BODIES Leonard Long, Atlanta, Ga.

Application October 26, 1955, Serial No. 542,836 Claims. (Cl. 311-5) This invention relates to a device for positioning and restraining live bodies and more particularly to an immobilizing device for use in conjunction with radiological and surgical procedures and the like.

The almost universal propensity of small children toward bodily movement has posed serious problems for the radiologist and indeed has led to the use of a variety of devices for immobilizing children as an aid to improving the clarity and quality of X-ray pictures, for example, without unduly exposing the operator to radiation. For example, proposals have been made for strapping the body of a child to a firm base support and for the use of rigid frame supports into which the childs body is placed, the portions of the frame being adjustable to accommodate children of different sizes. .According to another positioning device, a container with minute particles therein which is normally pliable is placed adjacent the body member to be immobilized and is thereafter rendered relatively firm as by evacuation of a substantial portion of the air in the container. While such devices afford certain advantages they either are quite uncomfortable for the patient and hence tend V 'to defeat their purpose by encouraging bodily movement or they require the attendance and the resulting undesired exposure to radiation ofan operator.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved immobilizing device which gently but firmly restrains bodily movement and which affords a minimum of discomfort to the patient.

7 Another object of this invention is the provision of an immobilizing device which is readily adaptable to hold a live body substantially immobile in a wide variety of positions relative to a source of radiation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an immobilizing and positioning device which is simple in construction, reliable in use and which is readily adaptable to a great variety of radiological procedures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of I a supporting and immobilizing device by which undesired exposure of anoperator to radiation may be avoided altogether.

The invention in one form comprises a pair of spaced support elements between which a body engaging gar- 'ment-like arrangement is suspended, the tension and position of the body engaging means being manually adjustable. According to a feature of the invention an adjustable frame-like structure is removably mounted on a pair of base members interposed between and secured to the support elements for supporting a cassette and its associated film. The frame-like structure is adjustable so as to accommodate cassettes and film of different sizes. I For a better. understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective side View of a positioning and I'estraining'device comprising suspended body engaging Patented July 29, 1958 means constructed according to this invention; Figure 2 is a view on a reduced scale from underneath of the body engaging means constituting an essential part of the arrangement shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view partially in section taken along the line 3-3 as indicated in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged end view partially in section taken along the line 4-4 as indicated in Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged plan andside views respectively of a portion of a rotatable support member as depicted in Figure 3; Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a support portion of a bar by means of which the two ends of the body engaging means are respectively fastened to a pair of spaced support elements; Figure 8 is a bottom view of a framelike structure used for positioning a cassette and associated film; Figure 9 is an end view taken from the left of the structure shown in Figure 8; and Figures 10 and 11 are respectively side and sectional views of a yieldable clamping means by which the frame structure of Figures 8 and 9 is affixed to a pair of base members interconnecting the pair of spaced support elements.

With reference toFigure 1 the numeral 1 generally designates a left-hand support element while the numeral 2 generally designates a right-hand support ele ment. These support elements are interconnected by a pair of spaced base members 3 and 4 the ends of which are welded or otherwise secured to the support elements 1 and 2. Suspended between support elements and 2 is a body engaging device generally designated by the numeral 5. Adjustably positioned on the spaced base members 3 and 4 is a frame-like device generally designated by the numeral 6 in which a cassette and its associated film are mounted in a readily removable fashion as explained in detail hereinafter.

From the description thus far it will be understood that the body of an infant, for example, may be placed inside the body engaging means 5 and with the parts suitably positioned and adjusted and with a film and cassette mounted within the frame 6 the entire apparatus including the infants body may then be placed under- 'neath or adjacent to a source of radiation such as X-rays in such manner as to expose any desired portion of the infants body to radiation and so as to obtain a pictorial representation on the film of such portion of the infants body.

As shown in Figure 1 the body engaging means 5 comprises garment-like means mounted on and secured to ahammock-like means suspended between space support elements 1 and 2. The term hammock-like means is here used to denote the structure comprising relatively strong spaced supporting straps 7 and 8 and the transverse'straps 9 and 10 the ends of which are secured as shown to the ends of straps 7 and 8. Preferably transverse straps 9 and 10 are hem-like in construction and are securely affixed to the straps 7 and 8 by sturdy stitching. The garment-like means as shown in Figure 1 comprises a body portion 11, leg portions 12 and 13,

and arm portions 14 and 15. According to a feature to the edges of straps 7 and 8 as well as to the transverse strap 10 bysuitable stitching or otherwise. Body portion 11 is provided with a generally eliptically shaped opening 16 through which the body of the infant is inserted into the garment. Opening 16 is partially closed and adjusted after the child is positioned within the garment by means of straps 17-22, it being understood that in ordinary use strap 17 is tied with strap 20, strap 18 is tied to strap 21, and strap 19 is tied to strap 22 in any suitable manner so as to conform to the patients body and to aid in immobilizing the child. In Figure l a portion of the top part of the body portion 11 :is broken away in the drawing to reveal small fastening strap 23 which is sewed at its ends to the inside of the back of the body receiving portion and which. in turn loosely secures the adjusting strap 24 in position inside the body portion 11. As indicated in dotted lines a similar fastening strap 23a is symmetrically disposed relative to strap 23 and also tends to aid in loosely holding the adjusting strap 24 in position. In use after the child is placed within the garment-like means, the ends of strap 24 normally are wrapped around the childs head or arms or as desired and are fastened in suitable manner to accomplish a particular immobilizing action. The crotch portion of the body portion 11 is interrelated by strap 25 with the cross strap 9.

The back of the body engaging means 5 is indicated in Figure 2 from which it is apparent that the body portion 11 on the under side thereof comprises a central portion 26 which preferably is constructed of non yieldable material while the portion 27 of the body receiving means 11 preferably is constructed of knitted material. Straps 2833 are respectively aflixed at one end thereof to supporting straps 7 and 8 as indicated, it being understood that once the infants body is placed within the garment-like means the desired position thereof is determined by fastening the loose end of strap 28 to the loose end of strap 31 in a suitable manner and by fastening in similar manner strap 29 to strap 32 and strap to strap 33. If desired a suitable rectal opening 34 may be provided for use in giving barium enemas and the like.

In order to suspend the garment-like body engaging device as described above between the support elements 1 and 2 a metallic support bar such as is indicated in Figure 7 is mounted within each of the hem-like trans verse hem straps 9 and 10. Each support bar comprises a body portion 35 and a looped fastening element 36, it being understood that the body portion 35 is inserted within each transverse hem strap 9 and 10 and that an opening provided in straps 9 and 10 allows the fastening element 36 to project outwardly thereby to constitute a sturdy fastening means by which the body engaging means is interrelated with the spaced supports 1 and 2.

Spaced support 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 3 comprises side plates 37 and 38 and end plates 39 and 40. End plate 40 is rigidly secured as by welding orotherwise to side plates 37 and 38 whereas end plate 39 preferably is of lighter construction and is removably mounted as by screws 41 and 42 to a downturned edge of top plate 43. Tubular element 44 is rotatably mounted within an opening 45 formed in end plate 40 and extends through an opening 46 in end plate 39. For frictionally restraining tubular element 44 against rotation, a pin 47 is disposed within a transverse opening formed within element 44 and washers 48 and 49 are mounted about element 44 on opposite sides of end plate 40 and suitable bias is applied to these elements by a compression spring 50 one end of which bears against washer 48 and the other end of which bears against ring member 51 secured by pin 52 to tubular element 44. Affixed to the left-hand extremity of element 44 is a hook-like support means 53 which is mounted to element 44 by means of a rivet 54 or by other suitable means. Support means 53 is shown enlarged in Figures 5 and 6.

From the description thus far it will be understood that the entire body engaging means may be manually rotated about its major axis and that the frictionalrelationship between the tubular element 44 and the end plate 40 and associated parts serves to maintain the patients body in a desired position relative to the support elements Once it is rotated thereto.

The left-hand end of the body engaging means is interrelated with the support element 1 by means of a flexible tension means 55 to the end of which is aflixed a hook-like support means identical to the hook-like support means 53 above described, it being understood that flexible tension means 55 preferably would be soldered or otherwise secured to clamp 53 instead of being affixed thereto by a pin such as 54.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4 support element 1 comprises a pair of spaced side plates 56 and 57, a top plate 58 and an end plate which is designated by the numeral 59 and which like top plate 58 is welded or otherwise secured to side plates 56 and 57. Preferably a lightly constructed cover plate 60 is affixed to a downturned edge of top plate 58 by means of screws 61. Affixed as by welding or otherwise or integrally formed with the Side plate 56 is a reinforcing plate 62 while a similar reinforcing plate 63 is afiixed by welding or otherwise to the inside surface of the side plate 57. Rigidly secured at its ends to the reinforcing plates 62 and 63 is a transverse rod 64 on which a pair of abutment blocks are slidably mounted. These abutment blocks are respectively designated by the numerals 65 and 66. Journally mounted within the side plates 56 and 57 and their associated reinforcing plates 62 and 63 is a transversely disposed worm gear 67 having a manually operable crank 68. Abutment means 65 is in threaded engagement with the worm gear 67 while abutment block 66 is provided with a transverse opening which slidably interrelates abutment 66 with the worm 67. Thus rotation of crank 68 moves abutment 65 in one direction whereas rotation of crank 68 in the opposite direction reverses the movement of abutment 65. Flexible tension means 55 extends around a pulley 69 mounted on the inside of end plate 59 and extends around a pulley '70 mounted on reinforcing plate 62 and is affixed to binding post 71 mounted on abutment block 66. Abutment block 66 is biased toward the right by means of a flexible member 72 which is secured to block 66 by binding post 71 and which is anchored at 73 to reinforcing plate 63. Flexible member 72 extends around pulley 74 biased by spring 75 toward the left and engages pulley 76 mounted on reinforcing plate 63.

From the above description of support element 1 it will be understood that rotation of crank 68 in one direction causes abutment means 65 to move to the right thereby to engage abutment block 66. Continued rotation of crank 68 in this direction imparts a tension force to flexible tension means 55 and to body engaging means 5. Since the threads of worm gear 67 have a low pitch, a predetermined position of block 65 and the resulting tension of flexible tension means 55 is frictionally maintained after the operator releases the crank 68. Similarly rotation of crank 68 in the opposite direction causes abutment means 65 to move to the left and thereby relaxes the tension of flexible means 55. After the hook-like support means 53 affixed to the end of flexible tension means 55 is unhooked from the fastening element 36 at the left-hand end of body engaging means 5 the flexible tension means 55 is retracted within the support element 1 by the action of spring 75 which through tension member 72 moves abutment block 66 to the right. By this means undesired dangling of the end of flexible tension means 55 is avoided without interfering in any way with the adjustability of the tension applied to tension member 55 and to the body engaging device 5.

The frame-like structure generally designated by the numeral 6 in Figure 1 is shown in detail in Figures 8-11 and comprises a first side piece 77 and a second side piece 78 together with a pair of cross pieces 79 and 80, the left-hand ends of which are securely mounted to the side piece 77 and to the right-hand ends of which are afiixed stop members 81 and 82. Affixed to the under side of side pieces 77 and 78 are yieldable friction means 83 on a shaft 88 which is slidably mounted in slots 89 and which is' supported by the prongs of a U-shaped element 90 biased by spring 91 in an outward direction and slidably mounted in the bight portion of the housing 92. Spring 91 is arranged with one end thereof bearing against the housing 92 and with the other end thereof in engagement with washer93.

From the description of the frame-like structure above it will be understood that a film and its associated cassette of a certain size is placed between the side pieces 77 and 78 and thereafter the piece 78 is moved toward the left so as snugly to engage and hold the cassette between side pieces 77 and 78. With the desired spacing of side pieces 77 and 78 thus determined, the apparatus is then placed in position over the base members 3 and 4,.it being understood that the friction means 83-86 removably secure the frame 6 to base members 3 and 4.

To this end, the normal distance between theouter extremities of the rollers as designated by the letter x in Figure 9 is somewhat greater than the spacing between the base members 3 and 4 as indicated by the letter y in Figure 3. Thus with the frame-like structure placed above the base members 3 and 4 downward pressure thereon retracts the rollers 87 slightly against the bias of their respective springs 91 as rollers 87 roll over the base elements 3 and 4 and thereby snugly secure the cassette in position with the basemembers 3 and 4 occupying the positions indicated by the dotted circles 3 and 4 in Figure 9. In this manner the frame-like structure is held in position and the spacing between the side pieces 77 and 78 is automatically determined and maintained. Of course a different size cassette and film would result in a diiferent spacing between the side pieces 77 and 78.

While the arrangement as described hereinabove is particularly adapted for use in connection with photographic procedures it will be understood that it is not limited thereto and that it has many other applications as well. For example, the arrangement as described is usable to advantage in connection with surgical procedures and also is of particular use in radiation therapy as well.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the device need not be mounted horizontally as indicated in Figure 1 but may be mounted upright with either the support element 1 or the support element 2 serving as a base if desired. For certain special applications of the invention it is desirable to suspend the entire apparatus from an external support such as a room wall or ceiling or other suitable means.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, I do not Wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: i

1. A device for supporting a live body comprising a pair of spaced support elements, flexible tension means mounted on one of said elements and normally extending therefrom toward the other of said support elements, and body engaging means disposed intermediate said support elements and having one end thereof normally operably related with said flexible tension means and having the other end thereof normally supported by said other support element, biasing means operably related with said tension means and tending to retract said tension means into said one support element when dissociated from said body engaging means, and manually operable means for imparting a desired tension force to said flexible tension means and to said body engaging means.

2. A device for supporting a livebody comprising'a pair of spaced support elements, flexible tension means mounted on one of said elements and normally extending therefrom toward the other of said support elements, and body engaging means disposed intermediate said support elements and having one end thereof normally operably related with said flexible tension means and having the other end thereof normally supported by said other support element, first abutment means movable with said flexible tension means, second movable abutment means engageable with said first abutment means; and adjustable means for controlling theposition of :said second abutment means thereby to controlthe tension of said flexible tension means and of said body'engaging means.

3. A device for supporting a live body comprising a "pair of spaced support elements, .flexibletension means mounted on one of said elements and normally extending therefrom toward the other of saidsupport elements,

and body engaging means disposed intermediate said support elements and having: one end thereof normally operably related with said flexible tension means and having the other end thereof normally, supported by. said other support element, first abutment-means movable with said flexible tension means, second movable abutment means engageable with said first abutment means, adjustable means for controlling the position of said second abutment means thereby to control the tension of said flexible tension means-and of said body engaging means, and biasing means operably related with said flexible tension means and tending to urge said flexible tension means in a direction away from said other of said support elements.

4. A device for supporting and positioning a live body comprising a pair of spaced support elements, a tubular element rotatably mounted on one of said support elements .and extending therefrom toward the other of said support elements, and body engaging means disposed intermediate said support elements and having one end thereofnormally operably related with said tubular element and having the other end thereof normally rotatably supported by said other support element so that said body engaging means may be rotated about the axis of said rotatable tubular element.

5. A device for supporting and positioning a live body comprising a pair of spaced support elements, a tubular element rotatably mounted on one of said support elements and extending therefrom toward the other of said support elements, body engaging means disposed intermediate said support elements and having one end thereof normally operably related with said tubular element and having the other end thereof normally rotatably supported by said other support element so that said body engaging means may be rotated about the axis of said rotatable tubular element, and yieldable holding means tending to prevent rotation of said tubular element for securing said tubular element and said body engaging means in position relative to said support elements.

6. A device for supporting and positioning a live body comprising a pair of spaced support elements, flexible tension means mounted on one of said elements and normally extending therefrom toward the other of said support elements, a tubular element rotatably mounted on said other support element and extending therefrom toward said one support element, and body engaging means having one end thereof disjointably connectable with said flexible tension means and having the other end thereof disjointably connectable with said tubular element.

7. A device for supporting and restraining a live body comprising a pair of spaced support elements, hammocklike means suspended between said support elements, garment-like means mounted on said hammock-like means and having a body portion, a pair of leg portions and a pair'of double arm portions, and a plurality of adjustable scraps for securing said garment-like means in position relative to alive body disposed therein and relative spaced support bars transversely disposed relative to the space between said support elements, each of said bars being supported by a difierent one of said support elements, a pair of spaced support straps suspended between said bars, garment-like means supported by said bars and straps and having a body portion, a pair of leg portions, and a pair of double arm portions, and a plurality of adjustable straps for securing said garment-like means in position relative to a live body disposed therein and relative to said support straps and to said bars.

9. In combination a pair of spaced support elements, a pair of spaced base members interposed between said support elements and secured thereto, body engaging means disposed between said support elements and supported thereby in tension, at frame-like structure interposed between said body engaging means and said base members, and yieldable friction means mounted on said frame-like structure and engageable with said base members removably to secure said frame-like structure in position on said base members.

10. In combination a pair of spaced support elements, .a pair of spaced base members interposed between said support elements and secured thereto, body engaging meansdisposed between said support elements and supported thereby in tension, a frame-like structure, interposed between said body engaging means and said base members, said frame-like structure having a first side piece, at least one cross piece secured to said first side .piece and extending transversely therefrom, a second side piece substantially parallel to said first side piece and slidably related with said cross piece, and yieldable friction means respectively mounted on said side pieces and engageable with said base members thereby to secure said side pieces in a predetermined spaced relation to each other and removably to secure said frame/like structure in position relative to said base members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,030 Molby May 22, 1923 1,456,031 Molby May 22, 1923 2,481,741 Graves Sept. 13, 1949 2, 1,716 Wolf Nov, 28, 1950 2,611,363 Peters Sept. 23, 1952 2, 9,206 Butler Mav l9, 1953 

